Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic on the Glycemic Status of a Large Cohort in Patients with Diabetes

ABSTRACT

There is a general notion that glycemic control has deteriorated since the onset of COVID-19 pandemic. This study aimed to compare the glycemic status of a very large cohort of Persons with diabetes (PWD) prior to COVID-19 outbreak with that of a similar cohort post onset of the outbreak. Materials and methods: In this retrospective study, entire data of glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c)% available in the hospital database from 3rd October, 2017 till 31st May, 2020 were collected and segregated into two cohorts namely on or prior to (ie, pre COVID-19) and after (ie, post COVID-19) 15th March, 2020 respectively. Results: Total 20575 HbA1c values (12081 in the pre COVID-19 arm and 8494 in the post COVID-19 arm) were available for analysis. Mean (±SD) and Median HbA1c% in the pre COVID-19 arm (7.74±1.33, 7.5) was significantly (P<0.05) lower compared to those of the post COVID-19 arm (8.28± 1.9, 7.8). Such a difference was mainly driven by significantly higher numbers in the subgroup of HbA1c >10% (P<0.05). The Mean (±SD) and Median HbA1c% of the subgroups namely; males, females, age <65 years and age >65 years in the post COVID-19 arm (8.33±1.9, 7.8; 8.21±1.9, 7.7; 8.23±1.9, 7.7 and 8.13±1.8, 7.4 respectively) were significantly higher than the pre COVID-19 arm (7.73±1.3, 7.4; 7.75±1.2, 7.5; 7.72±1.2, 7.5 and 7.9±1.5, 7.6 respectively). Conclusion: Onset of COVID-19 pandemic has adversely impacted glycemic control amongst PWD in general.